Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco (in Italian), meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises 15,782 ft (4,810 m) above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence. This peak served as training for Nelson in 2010, less than a year before he attempted Mt. Everest. The goal was to get some high-altitude experience (above 15,000 ft) while also improving crevasse awareness and technical climbing skills. The trip was an 8-day excursion to a few different smaller peaks around the Mont Blanc Massif, with a final climb of the peak itself on the last 2 days. The peak was climbed via the Trois Mont route up, then the Voie Des Cristalliers route back down on the other side.
